Jul
28

Officials: Funds secured for nuclear fuel project

KDWN

SAVANNAH RIVER SITE, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and members of her state’s congressional delegation say federal lawmakers have secured enough money to ensure a nuclear fuel project at the Savannah River Site goes forward.

U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott said Monday that congressional budgets have the money to keep the mixed oxide fuel project from being suspended.

Construction began on the plant in 2007. It is part of an agreement with Russia to turn nuclear weapons into reactor fuel.

President Barack Obama’s administration had said it wanted to put the project on hold, citing years of cost overruns and delays. South Carolina sued, saying money meant to build the plant couldn’t shut it down.

U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said Monday that construction will continue at least into fall.